Breaking News

Columns

Yost’s predictable exit may not be his last goodbye to politics

The Ohio governor’s election is more than 17 months away, but I have already written a considerable amount of articles and columns on it as candidates come and go. Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, is the latest to go after coming to the realization that he wasn’t going to beat Vivek Ramaswamy, the wealthy biotech entrepreneur who has the endorsements of the Ohio Republican Party, President Donald Trump and several prominent Ohio and national Republicans. It did not take that long for Yost to read the room, announcing his withdrawal from the race May 16. It came a week ...

Ramaswamy backing shows Trump’s control of Ohio Republican Party

Editor’s note: This column was composed prior to Friday’s announcement from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost declaring it is: ... “apparent that the steep climb to the nomination for governor has become a vertical cliff. I do not wish to divide my political party or my state with a quixotic battle over the small differences between my vision and that of my opponent. I am simply not that important. I’ve spoken at length with many people whose advice and wisdom I respect, and I haven’t come to this decision quickly or easily. I am especially grateful to those who have pledged to ...

America has resources to confront China’s extortion

It is no secret that China has weaponized control of the world’s mineral supply chains. We’ve already seen this when both the Biden and Trump administrations challenged China’s unfair trade practices. Beijing has responded by simply restricting or banning the export of minerals needed for America’s economy and defense industrial base. China’s ever-growing chokehold on mineral supply chains—and U.S. reliance on imports—has been America’s Achilles’ heel for more than a decade. According to recent government analysis, the U.S. is import-reliant for 40 critical minerals, ...

Hefty campaign donations illustrate the power of incumbency of candidates

Once in Congress, raising money becomes considerably easier. The longer you’re there, the more cash you collect — particularly from political action committees as they love winners and those who they view as allies or at least those who can help them. U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge, is serving his seventh two-year term representing the 14th Congressional District, which has Trumbull as its second most-populous county behind Lake. Joyce’s campaign always has excelled at raising money. Serving on the House Appropriations Committee and as chairman of the Financial Services and ...

Shining a light on hidden influences: Why Ohio must pass SB10 and HB 105

During my years in the Ohio House of Representatives, I dedicated myself to upholding the core values of fairness, transparency, and accountability in government. These principles have continued to guide my service as a Columbiana County Commissioner. Today, I see a troubling issue that threatens the integrity of our legal system, the vitality of our communities, and the stability of our small businesses: secretive third-party litigation funding. This practice allows outside financiers —often hedge funds or private equity firms with no connection to the people or facts involved in a ...

Small personal investment benefits entire community

There are a lot of positive developments underway in the City of Salem. We recently passed a levy that will bring Salem an $80 million new, much-needed elementary/middle school campus. We recently secured over $1 million in state funding to complete a new town square, which will be a focal point for our historic downtown shopping district Another $450,000 in private donations has been raised to expand that town square park area over to the Memorial Building. And we are very near on an announcement that a new, multi-million dollars South Lincoln overpass bridge is to be built over ...